Walter Thomas Sproles

July 14, 1925 - December 26, 2020

Walter Thomas “W.T.” Sproles, 95, of New Castle, formerly of Bristol, Virginia, departed this life on Saturday, December 26, 2020, at Henry Community Health in order to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. He was born on July 14, 1925 in Hiltons, Virginia, a son of the late Nelson James and Mamie S. (Moore) Sproles. W.T. graduated in 1943 from Hamilton High School in Mendota, Virginia, and then enlisted in the US Army. He married his high school sweetheart, Alice Lee Dixon, on June 2, 1945 and they were blessed with 72 years of marriage until her death on November 10, 2017. A kind and thoughtful gentleman who always placed the needs of others in front of his own, W.T. was a faithful and humble Christian. His contented and peaceful spirit exuded a calm presence. He loved gardening, canning, and keeping his homes freshly painted and pristine. He kept his mind sharp by working crossword puzzles and reading his Bible daily. He was a long-time member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. W.T.’s career was marked by consistency and hard work. He was an excellent welder and a Boilermaker for the Tennessee Valley Authority assisting in building the South Holston, Boone, and Ft. Patrick Henry Dams, and the Kingston Steam Plant. He then worked for Enterprise Corp. in Bristol, VA, welding coal cars for work inside the mines. W.T. retired in 1991 from Davis Pipe and Metal Fabricators after many years of employment. Those left to cherish W.T.’s memory include his only child, Thomas Lee (Paula) Sproles of New Castle; four grandchildren, Connie Lee (Jeff) Richwine of Anderson, Thomas David (Mary Beth) Sproles, Leah Paulette DeArmond, and John Mark (Julie) Sproles all of New Castle; 12 great-grandchildren, Sarah Beth (David) Sanford, Lauren Michele (Jordan) Dodrill, Hannah Marie (Josh) Cravens, Emily Brooke Shults, (fiancé: Dylan Phair), Mark Evan Sproles, Ashley Caroline Shults, Ethan Andrew DeArmond, Katelyn Nicole Sproles, Daniel Thomas Sproles, Caleb Wayne DeArmond, Brooklyn Michelle Sproles, and Brayden Isaiah Sproles; one great-great-grandson, Benaiah Owen Sanford; two sisters-in-law, Ruth Rice of Mendota, VA and Mary Faye Sproles of Tullahomah, TN, and several nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Sproles; two brothers, William and Fred Sproles and two sisters, Nanie Lee Hudgens and Gladys Keegan. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, January 1, 2021 at Sproles Family Funeral Home with Rev. Rollin Mitchell and Rev. Marc Dodrill officiating. Burial will follow at a later date in South Mound Cemetery West Lawn Addition with Pastor Denny Neal officiating. Friends may call from 12 pm until the time of funeral Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be offered to the Fellowship of Christian Police Officers with envelopes available at the funeral home or you may Donate Here. You may send a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com.